Since German Castrol is gone.... (IT'S NOT!!)
 

....what off the shelf oil should I be considering?

By off the shelf I mean walk into a store like an AutoZone of Pep Boys and walk out with it, not find it online only because it's "that special".

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/ls1tech...78d18003ac.jpg

Here you go... I've been doing a bunch of research on this stuff.

Compared both synthetic and non synthetic oil - if you want to know what each column means, visit the oil definition page.

Synthetic oil and non synthetic oil comparison chart

iv run rotella 15-40. works well. did alot of research on it and it is better and cheaper then most oils. the t6 synthetic is great as well. both have more zppd in it. if you have cats the phosphorous will clog the cats. if not run it.

Valvoline Durablend is an underrated oil that is top quality.

I use Valvoline 10w40 synthetic

Rotella T6 5W40 here too. You'll use a little extra fuel when compared to a 5W30 oil, but when you take the valve covers off and see how clean it keeps the engine, you'll be very happy. Walmart has the best prices on it.

I ran Castrol 0W-40 "European Formula" for quite a while and found it to do the best job toning down valvetrain noise. The downside - it's $8-$9 / quart LOL. I was at Walmart a couple months ago and saw Mobil 0W-40 "European Formula" for $25 for a 5 qt. jug. I can't say I notice any difference in the two.

I've only seen the diesel oil in that brand at Wal-mart where I live. I'm currently using the Gibbs LS30 oil. Love it but it's expensive.

5 or 6 yrs ago when the "green stuff" GC ended there was a link posted by a member to the BITOG site that listed UOA's of various replacement oils. Penzoil Platinum tested as a good replacement.

We use 4 qts Penzoil Platinum, 1 qt Rotella T6 + a moly additive & a dash of AutoRX. Guys not running CATS can use a zinc additive as well. All except for the AutoRX can be purchased @ auto parts stores.

Always research UOA's to determine best oil for a given engine.

I posted on BITOG last year about recommended oils for HPDE's because I could no longer get Redline 10/40 or GC locally; they may be overkill for the street, but I was given these opinions in no particular order... I suspect they are all 'good enough' to buy whatever might be on sale.

Mobil1 0/40
Mobil1 5/30
Redline 0/40
Redline 5/20
Pennzoil Ultra 0/40
Joe Gibbs LS30

What happened to the German Castrol? Just bought some a few months ago.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum with pure plus technology is what I now use.

First I've heard of it being gone as well...that sucks. I bought it when part stores did monthly sales on Castrol and could get 5 qts and filter for $30-33 and then just buy the extra qt.

I've used Pennzoil Platinum in the past. Seems the GC kept my top end a little quieter though.

Good ideas guys.

I'd strike Amsoil, Redline and Joe Gibbs off the list as they're not stocked in regular stores. I'm leaning towards the Penzoil Ultra Platinum because AutoZone has it and they occasionally put it on sale.

DaSkinnyGuy, you say Napa stocks Amsoil? I'll look into that because I like the stuff also.

I also use Pennzoil platinum 5-30

I just went through the Napa website.

They list the usual suspects in oil, Castrol, Penzoil, Mobil1, Valvoline, Rotilla, Royal Purple and the house brand. No mention of Amsoil.

I'll stop in a Napa and see what they have.

I'm surprised that nobody's said to use the Royal Purple. I've always stayed away from it because of it's cost and what I believe to be skewed test results that they've used in their advertising.

I've read that it breaks down very quickly under heat. And it's more expensive than many other oils that test better in oil analysis results I've seen posted.


Did I miss where you posted what you mean by German Castrol is gone? Do you mean your local stores stopped stocking it or is it being discontinued?

That's the "new" GC. The original blend known as "the green stuff," due to its greenish color, was discontinued several years ago. I had a 48 case stash that ran out 2 yrs ago.

Had a$$umed that the OP was referencing the original "green stuff" GC. Maybe he meant the "new" GC? In either case, there are several excellent alternatives.

No, I was referring to the "new" GC that was produced after the green version. There was talk on BITOG that the newer gold version had the same qualities as the original green version.

German Castrol was discontinued earlier this year. They have all different products now.

I had about 80 quarts shelved from sales but the shelf is getting bare. My recently purchased truck needed several oil changes to get all the crap out so my stock got killed off.

I'm finding the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum can be had down to $6.38 a quart.

I'm suprised your parts stores don't carry Amsoil? Our Canadian tire and Part source (which is like your autozone) stock it...it's damn near $20/quart but they stock it lol.

You should look to see if any of Amsoil's warehouses are near you... I'm lucky they have a depot about 10 minutes from the house, so I order and pickup directly from the warehouse whenever I need something... And I pay wayyyyy less than $20/quart...usually in the realm of about $6 or so depending on what I get. That is assuming you really like Amsoil and want to use them.

I have to admit, as good as they are, if I had to order and ship online for there stuff, it would be a pain in the a** and I probably wouldn't use them...

:eek2: